Proximity Warning Device

ABSTRACT

A proximity warning device may enable a driver of a vehicle to guard against colliding with other objects. By receiving input from sensors, a proximity warning device may detect objects near a vehicle. Installing a proximity warning device in a vehicle may help driver monitor an area behind the vehicle while at the same time navigating in tight spaces.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to the field of a proximity warning device.

BACKGROUND

Installation of conventional vehicle proximity warning devices may be costly and complex. Drivers of vehicles that require the installation of parking sensors must make a significant expense on a vehicle. The cost of a proximity warning device may lead a person to forego installing a proximity warning device.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure, nor does it identify key or critical elements of the claimed subject matter, or define its scope. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed in a simplified form as a precursor to the more detailed description that is later presented.

The instant application discloses, among other things, a proximity warning device, which may enable a driver of a vehicle to guard against colliding with other objects. By receiving input from sensors, a proximity warning device may detect objects near a vehicle. Installing a proximity warning device in a vehicle may help driver monitor an area behind the vehicle while at the same time navigating in tight spaces.

A proximity warning device may generate and transmit data wirelessly to handheld devices. For example, it may communicate and exchange data with a smartphone connected to it via Bluetooth or via a Wi-Fi network.

In one embodiment a proximity warning device may include cameras, proximity sensors, other sensors, or internet of things (IoT) devices. This interaction may enable a user to use proximity warning device to monitor objects outside a vehicle. For example, if a proximity sensor is triggered, a proximity warning device may send audio or image data to a mobile phone. Images sent may contain information such as the distance from a vehicle to nearby objects.

A proximity warning device may also issue visual or audio messages. For example, a mobile phone may show an image displaying spatial distance surrounding a vehicle, or sound an audible notification or safety alert. For example, a mobile device may beep with varying frequency depending on the distance to or approach speed of an object. A user may use a proximity warning device to assist in situational awareness for parking.

In another embodiment, a camera connected to proximity warning device may stream live video data to a mobile phone, for example. A proximity warning device may communicate an image or symbol of a vehicle and remaining vacant space, including approximate measurements, surrounding the vehicle's perimeter. The proximity warning device may send a signal, such as a visual notification, a voice notification, an audio notification or a vibration notification, for example, to the mobile phone, informing a user of remaining distance to an object. For instance, when a user is backing into a parking spot the user's vehicle approaches an object, the proximity warning device may communicate a notification signal informing the user. This information may enable the user to move close to objects without colliding with them.

A user may program a proximity warning device to specify a distance that triggers proximity warnings. For example, the user may have a preferred distance when the proximity warning device should provide a notification. For example, the user may set the proximity warning device to provide a notification when a vehicle is within four feet of an object.

Many of the attendant features may be more readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a proximity warning device process, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a proximity warning device, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a proximity warning device communication may appear on a user device interface display, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a top view a proximity warning device in use, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a system capable of supporting a proximity warning device, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computing device capable of supporting a proximity warning device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for a Proximity Warning Device 200, according to one embodiment. At Proximity Warning Device Detects Object 110, Proximity Warning Device 100 may detect that an ultrasonic proximity sensor, for example, has detected that there is an object within a predetermined distance of a vehicle. At Proximity Warning Device Communicates with User Device 120, Proximity Warning Device may communicate with User Device 510 via Bluetooth, NFC, or a network connection, for example. User Device 510 may be a smartphone, for example. At User Device Notifies User 130, User Device 510 may display a notification, may sound an audible warning, or may vibrate, for example, to notify a user, which may allow the user to prevent colliding with the object.

One having skill in the art will recognize that many types of alerts and images may be used as interface display.

FIG. 2 is a front view of Proximity Warning Device 200, according to one embodiment. Proximity Warning Device 200 may be configured as License Plate Frame 210. In another embodiment, Proximity Warning Device 200 may be configured in a block form factor.

Proximity Warning Device 200 may have Sensor 220 to detect objects near a vehicle equipped with Proximity Warning Device 200. Sensor 220 may include one or more electronic or mechanical sensors, such as ultrasonic proximity, RFID, infrared, laser, radar, or any other sensor that may allow detection of a nearby object. Sensor 220 may also include a camera, an accelerometer, or a gyro. Sensor 220 may provide proximity data to Electronics 230, which may process the proximity data to determine, for example, distance to an object. Electronics 230 may also include communications hardware to allow Electronics 230 to communicate with User Device 510. Communications may be performed by Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi, radio frequency, cellular data access methods, or any other communications protocol, for example. Electronics 230 may transmit information to User Device 520, which may include the proximity data received from Sensor 220 directly, or may Electronics 230 may process the proximity data and transmit proximity information resulting from the processing. Proximity information may, for example, be determined by combining data from several sensors, performing object recognition, or calculating a rate of approach.

Electronics 230 may transmit proximity information for all proximity data received from Sensor 220, or may only transmit proximity information if Electronics 230 determines that an object is within a predetermined distance or if a rate of approach exceeds a threshold setting.

Electronics 230 may also include a battery or other components.

User Device 510 may provide a user with an interface that interacts with Proximity Warning Device 200.

In another embodiment, Sensor 220 may be a camera, which may stream live video data to User Device 510, which may be a Smartphone, for example.

FIG. 3 is a User Device Application Interface 300, according to one embodiment. A Smartphone application may provide a user with an interface that interacts with Proximity Warning Device 200. User Device Application Interface 300 may illustrate to a driver of a vehicle distance to an object near the vehicle. For example, the driver may see a position of the vehicle in relationship to nearby objects. In this example, Vehicle Display 310 may illustrate a top view of the vehicle with Sensor Display 320 and 340, which may illustrate what Sensor 220 is detecting for each of two Proximity Warning Devices 200, mounted at a front and rear of a vehicle, respectively. Similarly, Sensor Distance Reading 330 may show a distance to the nearest object near the front and rear of the vehicle.

When an object is within a predetermined distance, which may be user adjustable, the driver may be notified. Notifications may include color changes on User Device Application Interface 300, or other visual indications, such as flashing or changing sizes of an item on the display. One having skill in the art will recognize that many visual cues may be used to provide warning notifications.

Alternatively, audible warnings may be used. For example, a changing tone or a changing frequency of a beep may be used to indicate the distance to an object. One having skill in the art will recognize that many audio cues may be used to provide warning notifications.

In another embodiment, vibration may be used as a notification of the proximity of an object.

In yet another embodiment, a camera connected to Proximity Warning Device may stream live video data to a mobile phone, for example.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a top view of Proximity Warning Device 200 in use, according to one embodiment Equipped Vehicle 420 may be parked between Vehicle A 410 and Vehicle B 430. Sensor Pattern 450 and Sensor Pattern 440 may be providing input to Sensor 220 and reporting back to User Device 510 to a driver of Equipped Vehicle 420, which may allow the driver to safely manipulate Equipped Vehicle 420 nearer to Vehicle A 410 and Vehicle B 430 than would be safe without Proximity Warning Device 200 installed.

In another embodiment, Proximity Warning Device 200 may allow for automatically launching an application on User Device 510 when a threat is detected. For example, a threat may be detected when Proximity Warning Device 200 detects a nearby object is within a range that may cause a collision based upon inputs from sensors providing distance, time speed, or direction.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device capable of supporting proximity warning device, according to one embodiment.

Network 530 may include Wi-Fi, cellular data access methods, such as 3G or 4GLTE, Bluetooth, near-field communications (NFC), the internet, local area networks, wide area networks, or any combination of these or other means of providing data transfer capabilities. In one embodiment, Network 530 may comprise Ethernet connectivity. In another embodiment, Network 530 may comprise fiber optic connections.

User Device 510 may be a smartphone, tablet, laptop computer, or other device with location-based services, for example, GPS, cell phone tower triangulation capability, IP address location, or accelerometers, and may have network capabilities to communicate with Proximity Warning Device 520.

Proximity Warning Device 520 may communicate with User Device 510 directly or through Network 530.

FIG. 6 is a component diagram of a computing device to which a Proximity Warning Device process may be applied according to one embodiment. The Computing Device 610 can be utilized to implement one or more computing devices, computer processes, or software modules described herein, including, for example, but not limited to a user device or a proximity warning device. In one example, the Computing Device 610 can be used to process calculations, execute instructions, and receive and transmit digital signals. In another example, the Computing Device 610 can be utilized to process calculations, execute instructions, receive and transmit digital signals, receive and transmit search queries and hypertext, and compile computer code suitable for a mobile device. The Computing Device 610 can be any general or special purpose computer now known or to become known capable of performing the steps and/or performing the functions described herein, either in software, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof.

In its most basic configuration, Computing Device 610 typically includes at least one Central Processing Unit (CPU) 620 and Memory 630. Depending on the exact configuration and type of Computing Device 610, Memory 630 may be volatile (such as RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) or some combination of the two. Additionally, Computing Device 610 may also have additional features/functionality. For example, Computing Device 610 may include multiple CPUs. The described methods may be executed in any manner by any processing unit in Computing Device 610. For example, the described process may be executed by both multiple CPUs in parallel.

Computing Device 610 may also include additional storage (removable or non-removable) including, but not limited to, magnetic or optical disks or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 6 by Storage 640. Computer readable storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Memory 630 and Storage 640 are all examples of computer-readable storage media. Computer readable storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by Computing Device 610. Any such computer-readable storage media may be part of Computing Device 610. But computer readable storage media do not include transient signals.

Computing Device 610 may also contain Communications Device(s) 670 that allow the device to communicate with other devices. Communications Device(s) 670 is an example of communication media. Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared and other wireless media. The term computer-readable media as used herein includes both computer-readable storage media and communication media. The described methods may be encoded in any computer-readable media in any form, such as data, computer-executable instructions, and the like.

Computing Device 610 may also have Input Device(s) 660 such as keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc. Output Device(s) 650 such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be included. All these devices are well known in the art and need not be discussed at length.

Those skilled in the art will realize that storage devices utilized to store program instructions can be distributed across a network. For example, a remote computer may store an example of the process described as software. A local or terminal computer may access the remote computer and download a part or all of the software to run the program. Alternatively, the local computer may download pieces of the software as needed, or execute some software instructions at the local terminal and some at the remote computer (or computer network). Those skilled in the art will also realize that by utilizing conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art that all, or a portion of the software instructions, may be carried out by a dedicated circuit, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable logic array, or the like.

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 

1. A device comprising: at least two sensors operable to wirelessly provide proximity information; and electronic components operable to wirelessly receive the proximity information from the sensors and wirelessly transmit the proximity information to a user device.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one sensor is a video camera.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least two sensors are each an ultrasonic proximity sensor.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the user device is a smartphone.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the proximity information comprises proximity data.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the proximity information is determined by processing proximity data.
 7. A method, comprising: wirelessly receiving, from a sensor, proximity data; processing the proximity data, giving proximity information; and wirelessly transmitting the proximity information to a user device. 